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European Qualifiers: Barry Bannan feels he owes Scotland boss Gordon Strachan

Image: Barry Bannan: Wants to repay Strachan

Crystal Palace midfielder Barry Bannan has admitted he feels he owes Scotland boss Gordon Strachan for the faith shown in him, despite a lack of first-team football last season.

The 24-year-old moved to south London last summer in the search for more regular action, and initially it all went to plan under Ian Holloway, with Bannan an integral part of the Palace set-up.

However, the arrival of Tony Pulis saw Bannan banished to the sidelines, and despite the Eagles' miraculous end-of-season form, Premier League survival was bittersweet for Bannan.

However, Scotland boss Strachan kept faith in the former Aston Vila midfielder - a fact which Bannan will not forget.

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Naismith in optimistic mood

"It’s been brilliant to have Scotland," Bannan told the Daily Record.

“Whenever the squads are getting announced, you’re always a wee bit worried you’re not going to be involved because that’s normal when you’re not playing for your club.

“If you’re not playing at club level, it starts to creep into your mind that you’re not doing so well.

Live Euro 2016 Qualifiers

“But then you get a call-up for your country and it gives you a boost again. It’s brilliant and I have to thank him a lot."

Bannan also insisted the arrival of Neil Warnock at Selhurst Park represents a fresh start, and hopes to impress.

"Hopefully I’ll flourish under the new manager Neil Warnock," Bannan added.

"I spoke to him last Friday about not playing.

"He said he wanted to try something different for the game at the weekend but that clubs had come in for me and he knocked them back."

Watch Scotland's European Qualifier away to Germany live on Sky Sports 5 HD on Sunday, with coverage underway from 7.15pm.

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